Perhaps I am wrong, and someone please provide a reference if I am, but it is my understanding that when the CAL pilots started their in-house union they offered membership to all of their members, even their scabs.

When LUA and LCA merged, ALPA was required BY LAW, to absorb all of LCAL's union members, scabs or not. Hence, we now have LCAL scabs wearing a pin. Many of you think that this is a sign of culpability and malfeasance on ALPAs part, as if the union dues from 800ish scabs is of paramount importance to the health of the association. I submit that is faulty and facile logic.

In general, no LUAL scabs may wear a pin. This is why the majority of LUAL pilots subscribe to the "no pin, no grin" mentality. We're not fond of slick ties because that's our history. We haven't forgotten. You're either with us, or against us. And now its troubling to see how many are against us. Yes, it was a long time ago. But, as they say, those who don't learn from history are likely to step on their cranks in the future.

As a result of the merger, there are now a whole mess of LCAL scabs sporting pins. And, until Lieutenant Aldo Raine brands their foreheads, many of us have no idea who they are, short of name in a yellow book. But we do check, and behave accordingly. We care and we remember. While being far from perfect, I don't believe that ALPA is the boogyman here. You of course are free to believe what you like. I'm pretty confident that my opinion is shared by the majority of LUAL pilots.

Its time to pony up and show some unity. We've been handed a golden opportunity. Putting on the pin is a pretty easy start.